By: UW TechTransfer’s new leader begins building bridges | Technology Transfer Tactics

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:43:16 +0000

[...] Tech Transfer E-News has documented a series of problems related to the University of Washington tech transfer operations, most surrounding the school’s reputation for impenetrable bureaucracy and haughty protectiveness of its IP when dealing with potential licensees. But Linden Rhoads, the high-tech entrepreneur who took the helm at UW TechTransfer on August 14, is on a mission to change those perceptions. Rhoads has been busy in her first two weeks on the job. First on her calendar are meetings with all of the Northwest’s VCs. When that’s done, she plans to make the rounds at the regular Monday portfolio meetings with VCs in the San Francisco Bay Area. She’s spreading the word that the UW’s doors are open. “I want the reputation of the University of Washington to be that we’re excited about doing business with the investment community,” she said. Rhoads has also been seeking input from contacts made at her previous posts with ChiliSoft, Singingfish.com, and AdRelevance. In addition, she’s been meeting with leaders in the local life sciences community, and brushing up on the massive collection of innovations in UW’s research cupboard. Roads is also organizing evening symposia to bring VCs together with UW researchers who have projects with commercial potential. And, she’s assigning some of her staff of 50 to focus more on mentoring, motivating, and even “inspiring” faculty members to build companies around their ideas. That’s just one tactic aimed at changing the university’s culture from fear of reprisal to risk-taking and entrepreneurism. “Nothing is as helpful in getting people to be entrepreneurial as success stories. It inspires people. But in entrepreneurship, there is risk. Failure is a big part of entrepreneurship. There has to be a culture that not only gets excited about things that take off, but also things that were worthy enough that they attracted talented management and venture dollars, but didn’t work out. If they were worthy enough to attract that, it’s an achievement. You can’t start companies with a fear of failing,” Rhoads observed. Her bottom line goal for UW TechTransfer? “I don’t want people to invent something that never ends up seeing the light of day,” she says. “We don’t want to leave opportunities on the table.” Go to: Xconomy [...]

By: David Miller

David Miller — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:41:46 +0000

At least the first step is being take to get out and meet the community affected by UW’s backwards views on tech transfer. Count me among the first to cheer if Ms. Rhoads can turn the culture there around. She certainly has her work cut out for her.

Comments on: UW TechTransfer’s Linden Rhoads Aiming to Nurture More Startups, Entice More VCs to Look at UW’s Research Cupboard

By: UW TechTransfer’s new leader begins building bridges | Technology Transfer Tactics

By: David Miller